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New ports, the first-ever sailings from Brisbane, weekend cruises and new onboard features will make 2004 the…
New ports, the first-ever sailings from Brisbane, weekend cruises and new onboard features will make 2004 the biggest year yet for Australia`s most popular cruise ship, P&O Cruises` Pacific Sky.
The new 2004 program for Pacific Sky reveals a greater variety of itineraries and four new ports. These include the coral atoll of Wala in Vanuatu, the aqua waters of Poum in New Caledonia, Luganville – the Vanuatu setting of the hit musical and film `South Pacific` – and Pentecost Island, the famous birthplace of bungy jumping where natives use vines, not elastic cords, to hurtle to the earth.
2004 will also see P&O Cruises base a cruise ship in Brisbane for the first time to cater for the cruise boom generated by Queenslanders and residents of the rapidly growing regions of northern NSW. Pacific Sky will offer four cruises from Brisbane between August 30 and September 20, 2004, with destinations including Vanuatu, New Caledonia and a special weekend `cruise to nowhere`.
Other features of Pacific Sky`s 2004 season include four exotic cruises to destinations such as Fiji (including a return after several years to Suva) from Auckland next winter – with one of the four including a special sail past beautiful Norfolk Island in August. The new program offers 22 cruises from Sydney including a weekend party cruise in March, a cruise past towering Ball`s Pyramid near Lord Howe Island in February, two seven-night short break cruises and special school holiday, Easter and Melbourne Cup cruises.
Major changes on Pacific Sky will offer passengers significant new features in 2004 including:
- an alfresco Steakhouse Grill on deck offering a full dinner alternative for the first time
- new internet cafe allowing passengers to email photos of themselves to friends back home
- free hamburgers, hot dogs and pasta on deck at lunch and a bigger menu in the pizzeria
- expanded wine list and new snacks in bars including oysters, scallops, samosas and shrimps
- extended breakfast hours to 10.30am and a bigger breakfast selection
- new themed buffet luncheons in the restaurant and expanded lunch hours from 11am-3pm
- table-side cooking of pasta and culinary demonstrations for passengers
- new deck chairs and tables and new restaurant furniture
- 24-hour cabin service including a new in-cabin menu for breakfast, lunch or dinner
- more beauty services including new instant tan sessions
- new 24-hour florist providing fresh flowers for special occasions and surprises
- extra shore tours, including adventure trips
- new video arcade games and extra slot machines in the casino
- cheaper duty-free liquor and cigarettes
- phone cards, internet cards and a new simpler onboard billing system
- a new $25 celebration package including two bottles of champagne and a cake
- complimentary toiletries in all cabins and a new drycleaning service for all passengers
The fresh new look for Pacific Sky is unveiled in P&O Cruises` 2004 South Pacific brochure which also takes on a new appearance with two pullouts to put readers in the mood for life aboard the ship – a sample dinner menu and a sample `Sky Daily` newsletter outlining activities on an average day at sea.
P&O Cruises Australia Managing Director Gavin Smith said the 2004 program for Pacific Sky was the most exciting and diverse Australian cruising program undertaken by the company.
New ports, new cruises and exciting new innovations aboard Pacific Sky mean Australians will enjoy more choice and flexibility, providing one of the best-value holiday options available, Mr Smith said.
Each year, P&O Cruises welcomes aboard Pacific Sky more than 55,000 Australians of all ages seeking a fun, relaxed and affordable holiday in the sunny South Pacific. With so much more on offer next year, we expect 2004 to be the biggest in P&O Cruises` 71 years of cruising from Australia.
Based in Australia year-round, P&O Cruises` 46,000-ton Pacific Sky features three pools, spa, large gym, ship-top jogging track, huge showlounge, cinema, casino, two restaurants serving more than 15 courses of international cuisine a day, an alfresco steakhouse, internet centre, nine bars and lounges, nightclub, library, 24-hour pizzeria and a fully supervised children`s centre.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
